16th Jan 2006, 15:20

In stock form I'm not sure what the TR8s would do. I bought mine already entensively modified and then did more especially to the suspension. The car puts out an estimated 225 HP and weighs around 2,600 pounds (2,675 stock, NOT 3,100 as mentioned above). With these specs it handily contends with the aformentioned vehicles and definitely the Boxster S as I have one to compare with directly and all at a fraction of the price.

The main point about the TR8s is that they are one of the few great bargains in terms of performance for money and readily modifiable into something even better.

18th May 2006, 11:55

As a TR8 owner and avid Auto-crosser the TR8 in the right hands (not mine though) will preform very well. I am marginal as a racer, but when the experienced drivers get behind the "8"'s wheels it shines. I do have the usual mods (4 barrel, headers, 10.5 to 1 pistons) which is conservatively rated at 235hp by the "experts". Remember that the 3.5 liter block is only 180 pounds. Combined with the nearly perfect 50/50 weight balance makes the "8" a real performer.

24th Jun 2006, 21:52

Mustang 5.0 can't come close to the TR8. Stainless Steel stock exhaust, Edelbrock Performer with Weber 4 bbl. conversion and it will knock the socks off the Mustang.

BMW Z3...forget it! BMW Z4...Nope! Boxter? Fine car, good power to weight ratio... But they WILL NOT beat the TR8.

If you haven't driven one you just can't understand how a 25+ year old British sports car can be faster or handle just as well as the highly touted Z's, Boxters, S2000's etc.

But it can and does!!

The Coupe is faster than the Drop Heads and I'd also like to mention the tons of room in the 8. At 6'2" I can just reach the pedals with the seat back.

The only thing this car needs is a bit of suspension tuning and 15" tires. Look out Vettes!

16th Jul 2007, 18:29

I have owned a TR8 1980 since 1988. The car has about 40 K miles on the clock now and it is entirely stock other than the suspension. As far as the numbers go, all of the cars from 1978 until 80 are carborated with 137 hp except the 1980 California cars which are full injected and have 147 hp. This was due to more stringent emission standards in California. I have a California car. In 1981 there were about 400 or so cars made if I recall and they were all fuel injected. According to all published road tests, the car went zero to sixty in about 8 seconds, fuel injected. The brakes are weak, but otherwise I do find the car to be quite fun.

Jeff.

17th Jul 2007, 10:28

You have to be kidding me. Do you have any idea what "stock hp" the TR8 is putting out. Weight is an advantage, but you can't be serious with a zero to sixty time of 8 seconds. Mentioning a slightly modified tr8 is mute, a slightly modified mustang will be faster just as easily.

8th Sep 2007, 00:00

The Rover 3.5 litre (ORIGINALLY a GM engine) is the british counterpart to the american Chevy 350 as the most popular engine to hot-rod in England. I have a nicely modified TR8. The engine was bored and stroked to displace 5 litres and produce 359 horse power, and there are few vehicles I can't get past. It's cheap powerful fun.

10th Sep 2007, 18:33

You have to understand the Torque curve of this engine and its gearing in the TR8 to understand how quick they really are.

Mustangs, Z4's, Boxters, can't compete.

And yes the Coupes are faster than the convertibles. The F.I. cars are not as fast... but heres the answer... your down payment will buy my car, your first years insurance will modify it for me and you won't see anything, but a strobed TR8 emblem disappearing in front of you.

This little British Car is one of the hidden jewel's left out there. Still undiscovered after 25 years.

24th Oct 2007, 20:31

The gearing on the TR8 makes the 0-60 times misleading. Look at the roadtests - they shift from 2nd to 3rd at 59 mph, which adds almost a whole second to the 0-60. Nearly every car is set to get to 60 in 2nd gear, but not the TR8. In real driving, 0-59 is just as good as 0-60, so the TR8 is really in the same league as 7 second 0-60 cars.

30th Nov 2007, 22:21

I can't believe something as ridiculous as a Mustang is brought up in this TR-8 investiture...

...whether or not the Mustang is out accelerating the Triumph, just go to the first corner...that will sort it out just fine.

As cheesy as the pirelli advert is: "power is nothing without control"

The Triumph has that (control) in spades over the mustang...

...funny indeed.

7th Dec 2007, 20:08

I’ll put my money on the Flying Wedge any day of the week! I have a 1980 with a few frills like 10.5-1 pistons, a Carter carb replacing the original FI system, dual points and some 15” rims and tires. Unless that pony has a Shelby, keep it in the barn. 2nd gear gets me to about 64mph without pushing the red line. That pony won’t see the dim gleam of my tail lights by the top of 4th, and in 5th the road better be long and straight.

28th Apr 2008, 20:28

I love cars, I had a 1968 912 and sold it, I had a 1979 SC and sold it, I have a 1980 TR8 with 10.5 to SS exhaust, Webb-er 4 barrel and 16 alloy wheels. I had it when I had the Porsche's and still have it! I also have a 1966 427 L72 corvette. I will get others and they are all fun but I think I will always keep the TR8 and the L72 they are different and both a lot of fun.

The TR8 is like a motor cycle on 4 wheels and man does it turn heads with the sound. It may look like a modern sport type rice burning sized car but when you pass people on the street they all turn their heads! It's great to know others appreciate them as much as I. Yeah the brakes need an upgrade the seats well I already changed them but they are what they are and they are not a mustang thank you. Oh by the way there is always something faster but I like my TR8!!!